Although not officially announced by the organization, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has confirmed Strikeforce has reserved a Jan. 7 date for a show at the 4,000-seat The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The night’s main card is expected to air on Showtime.

Rockhold vs. Jardine likely will serve as the headliner of the event, which may be signs of life for Strikeforce, which parent company Zuffa officials stated has an uncertain future.

Rockhold fights for the first time since a close September victory over then-champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at “Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov.” The decision victory marked the American Kickboxing Academy’s seventh straight win, all of which have come in Strikeforce (and six via submission and one via knockout).

The fighter had been expected to face Tim Kennedy, though an injury reportedly left him unable to compete at the Jan. 7 event.

Now looking to spoiling Rockhold’s first title defense is Jardine, a longtime UFC light heavyweight who first joined the UFC following a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter 2.” Although once stuck in a five-fight losing streak that cost him his job, Jardine, who recently moved down to middleweight, since has rebounded with a 2-0-1 run over his past three fights that saw him earn a pair of victories in regional competition and an April draw with Gegard Mousasi.

Jardine had been expected to compete on Strikeforce’s Dec. 17 card but will fight a few weeks later instead.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.